Chapter Ninety-Two: Lin Miaoyin with the Fire-Extinguishing Constitution, Zuming Calls (Guaranteed Request for Votes)

For Ma Wen, he had been paying close attention to Wang Yi’s script for the past three years. After the script took shape, Ma Wen and Wang Yi had a deep conversation, which gave him a profound understanding of the characters.

In fact, Ma Wen personally invited almost all the main actors for the entire production of “Portrait of a Murder.” Not only the two male leads, Lin Xing and Zhou Wei, but also director Liu Zhou and his wife Wei Fei were brought on board by Ma Wen to work on the script together. Furthermore, Ma Wen personally cast every role in the anthology episodes.

He did not choose based on fame or cost but strictly on talent and suitability. The entertainment industry has many mid-tier actors with strong acting skills and solid capabilities, much like the numerous comedians on the variety show “Comedy Must Make You Laugh,” each with impressive acting skills, though few in the general public know them.

Most of these actors deliver excellent performances and offer great value, so Ma Wen secured all the cast early on. Among them, the two female leads in the “Campus Burial Case” unit were chosen well in advance by Ma Wen himself, perfectly matching the script’s characters.

Unfortunately, the actress with the most scenes suffered a fractured bone due to a fall—a real stroke of bad luck. As the producer, Ma Wen could only have Liu Zhou start filming the next unit while he considered recasting.

“Old Ma, is the impact serious?” Wei Fei asked Ma Wen with concern.

“Fei Fei, what do you think?” Ma Wen chuckled. “The key to the ‘Campus Burial Case’ lies in these two roles, especially Liu Zitong’s. She has the most screen time and needs to carry the entire unit. But now…”

Just as Ma Wen was about to say more, his phone rang. Seeing it was Lin Xing calling, he quickly answered.

“Mr. Ma, do you have any backup choices for this role?” Lin Xing’s question almost made Ma Wen want to split in two. He thought Lin Xing was just anxious.

Ma Wen hurriedly explained, “Teacher Lin, rest assured, I will not delay the shoot. I just told Director Liu to film another unit first. I’ll try to finalize Liu Zitong’s role within a week.”

“No, Mr. Ma, you misunderstood,” Lin Xing smiled and shook his head. “I meant to ask if I could recommend someone if the role hasn’t been cast yet.”

“Ah?” Ma Wen was stunned, then laughed. “Of course, you can. But Teacher Lin, we…”

“Mr. Ma, I’m only suggesting she audition. You can give her a chance, and whether she fits or not, you decide.” Lin Xing interrupted firmly.

It’s better to be upfront, just as Feng Gang did when Lin Xing auditioned for “Black Waves of Crime.” It’s just an opportunity; success depends entirely on oneself.

Upon hearing this, Ma Wen readily agreed. “Alright, Teacher Lin, have her add me on WeChat, and we’ll arrange an audition time.”

“Okay,” Lin Xing said a few more words before hanging up.

Lin Xing then called Lin Miaoyin.

“Brother Xing!”

Lin Miaoyin, at her company, was pleasantly surprised to receive the call. “Aren’t you filming on Egret Island? How do you have time to call me?”

“Miaoyin, how did the audition with Sister Dao go?” Lin Xing asked directly.

“I failed. The crew initially wanted to cast me, but someone else replaced me,” Lin Miaoyin replied helplessly.

This is common in the entertainment industry. Not just lesser-known actors like Lin Miaoyin, even top-tier stars can be replaced, sometimes after being strung along by the crew.

“What did Sister Dao say?” Lin Xing inquired.

“She’s helping me pick scripts now. Meanwhile, I’m preparing for some events and variety shows to maintain my popularity,” Lin Miaoyin answered.

“Got it,” Lin Xing said, then hung up.

Lin Miaoyin was puzzled. She hadn’t expected Lin Xing to call and hang up so quickly. What did it mean?

To Lin Xing, however, Lin Miaoyin was quite suitable for the role of Liu Zitong.

In “Campus Burial Case,” Liu Zitong was a tomboy in her senior year of high school, always sporting short hair. She helped Li Yahui, who was bullied.

Both were outcasts at school: one sensitive and withdrawn, the other a short-haired tomboy who loved basketball but had no one to play with.

They kept each other company, potentially uplifting one another and walking out of the mire together.

But due to misunderstandings and lack of understanding, the light in Li Yahui’s heart was extinguished. She had always imagined Liu Zitong as her knight in shining armor—a brave boy who played basketball well.

When Liu Zitong appeared in a dress, Li Yahui’s fantasy shattered. Sensitive and melancholic due to family issues, Li Yahui had fallen in love with her imagined Liu Zitong, only to have that illusion destroyed by Liu Zitong herself.

Unable to accept reality, Li Yahui committed suicide with a craft knife, dying in Liu Zitong’s arms.

The unit opens with a school construction crew unearthing Li Yahui’s body buried on the playground — ten years later.

After a decade, Li Yahui’s remains had long turned into bones.

Liu Zitong, a graduate with exceptional artistic talent, returned to the same high school as a teacher. She could have taught at any university, or even abroad, but chose to return because she wanted to stay with Li Yahui forever.

For Liu Zitong, the fatal wound ten years ago took not only Li Yahui’s life but also a part of her own soul.

“That’s basically the script. I even think Lin Miaoyin is perfect for Liu Zitong,” Lin Xing told Sister Dao after the call.

“Good. I trust your judgment, Xing. I’ll send Lin Miaoyin to Egret Island,” Sister Dao nodded gently. “You don’t need to worry about the rest. Leave it to me.”

“Okay,” Lin Xing said before hanging up.

Sister Dao then called Lin Miaoyin to her office, smiling. “Someone will accompany you to Egret Island soon.”

“Eh? Egret Island?” Lin Miaoyin was confused.

“Yes. Brother Xing introduced you to a role there. You’re going to audition,” Sister Dao briefly explained.

Without hesitation, Lin Miaoyin agreed. If Brother Xing recommended it, it must be right. The power of an idol’s halo was absolute.

Meanwhile, the “Portrait of a Murder” crew kept the news of the actress’s injury under wraps. Liu Zhou hastily rearranged the sets and began filming the next unit: “Swapped Wife Murder.”

This case, like “Female Screenwriter Murder,” focused more on the investigation than the portrait artist. These two units were the only ones predominantly about criminal investigation in the entire series.

During a break in filming, Ma Wen took the initiative to talk to Lin Xing.

“Teacher Lin, it’s easy to be secretly photographed while you rest here. The security has caught several people sneaking around trying to find you these past few days,” Ma Wen advised. “There are many people trying to film you, so it’s safer if you rest in the designated area.”

“No worries,” Lin Xing smiled. “Even with several guards surrounding me, what can they do? Besides, I prefer staying with the crew.”

“Alright then,” Ma Wen gave up trying to persuade him, knowing his temperament by now. He then brought up the matter from earlier. “Teacher Lin, you didn’t explain clearly on the phone. I thought you meant someone else, but it’s your company’s artist?”

“Mr. Ma, there’s no difference. I just want to fight for her a chance. Whether she’s suitable depends on herself,” Lin Xing joked. “Please don’t relax your audition standards just because she’s from my company. We need to be strict for this production.”

“Hahaha, absolutely,” Ma Wen laughed heartily.

If Lin Xing really tried to force someone into a role, Ma Wen might have had a hard time. But it seemed Lin Xing was quite clear-headed.

That evening, after filming ended, Xiao Nan came over and said, “Brother Xing, Lin Miaoyin has arrived at the hotel.”

“Oh, let’s go,” Lin Xing nodded lightly. Turning to Zhou Wei, he said with a smile, “Brother Zhou, I have something tonight, so we won’t be working on the script.”

Their relationship had blossomed recently, becoming close friends.

“Okay,” Zhou Wei replied without questions, simply acknowledging it.

Back at the hotel, Lin Miaoyin thanked Lin Xing earnestly, “Brother Xing, thank you. I won’t let you down.”

“Have you read the script?” Lin Xing asked. “Do you understand the character profile?”

“Yes, Mr. Ma sent me the script. I read it on the way here,” Lin Miaoyin hurriedly replied. “I also have a rough understanding of the character.”

“When’s your audition scheduled?” Lin Xing asked.

“Tomorrow at 10 a.m.,” Lin Miaoyin answered.

“Alright,” Lin Xing pondered. “Since you’ve read the profile, how do you perceive Liu Zitong?”

“I think before she met Li Yahui in senior year, she was an outcast. After meeting Li Yahui, she gradually changed. After Li Yahui’s death, she buried her and sealed off her own heart…”

“You’ve understood well. How do you plan to portray her?” Lin Xing smiled. “When you audition, how will you handle the emotional connection between Li Yahui and Liu Zitong?”

“Well...”

“Yes, a tomboy with short hair, disliked by others, unexpectedly helping Li Yahui and becoming a confidante because she understands Li Yahui’s loneliness, sensitivity, and inferiority...”

Lin Xing and Lin Miaoyin analyzed the character together.

At first, their relationship was purely friendship.

Both had experienced exclusion and bullying. Liu Zitong hoped her companionship and support could bring Li Yahui joy and happiness.

Being misunderstood and rejected in school is the darkest experience.

No one understood them or wanted to, like two little hedgehogs bristling defensively, shrinking their hearts into a ball. When they met, they became each other’s light.

But Li Yahui wished Liu Zitong to be her prince charming—a sunny, handsome boy.

For this reason, when Liu Zitong realized this, she put on a dress to meet her.

Tragedy struck.

“So, early on, the short-haired, skirt-averse, androgynous ‘tomboy’ was only Liu Zitong’s disguise. Deep inside...”

Lin Xing and Lin Miaoyin continued analyzing the character.

It’s hard to say exactly, but Liu Zitong wanted to face Li Yahui with her true self.

Yet fate was cruel.

When illusions shatter, sometimes you lose the will to live in this world.

Li Yahui’s death brought release, but Liu Zitong’s pain lingered, living in memories.

“Thank you, Brother Xing. I think I understand now.”

Lin Miaoyin expressed her comprehension.

Xiao Nan ordered takeout, and Lin Xing and Lin Miaoyin ate while discussing, spending over an hour to fully grasp the character.

Finally, Lin Miaoyin teased, “Brother Xing, I feel like I have a ‘firefighter’ quality.”

“Oh? What do you mean?” Lin Xing asked.

“Look, in ‘The Girls of Old Li’s Family,’ my role was originally Zhao Ziqing’s, but she was busy, so I filled in. Then in that period drama, Xie Qi got caught for tax evasion, so I had to reshoot parts... And now this one—I’m picking up these scraps.”

Lin Miaoyin laughed.

“Don’t celebrate too soon. Let’s see if you succeed in the audition tomorrow,” Lin Xing shook his head. “But if you do, we can promote your ‘firefighter’ trait.”

Often, stars fear lacking uniqueness or personality. As long as you have a recognized persona, the public will know you.

Even a weather forecaster can trend online.

The next day, Lin Xing continued filming while Lin Miaoyin went to audition.

By noon, Lin Miaoyin was officially part of the crew.

Her audition exceeded Ma Wen’s expectations.

He believed Lin Miaoyin was very suitable for Liu Zitong’s role, especially with her short hair and school uniform—instantly embodying a high school image without trying to look younger.

After finishing filming “Swapped Wife Murder,” Lin Xing joined Lin Miaoyin to shoot the “Campus Burial Case” unit.

Filming continued until December 6th, when Lin Xing received a call from Zu Ming.

“Xiao Lin, busy?”

Zu Ming sounded quite cheerful.

(End of chapter)